Three-chamber carrying bag having spaced reinforcing wires and threeway garment fold arrangement



June 3, 1969 ISH, JR 3 447,649

M. K THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REINFORCING WIRES AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Sheet of6 Filed Oct. 23, 1967 June 3, 1969 M. KISH, JR 3,447,649

THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REINFORCING WIRES AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Sheet 2 of6 Filed Oct. 23, 1967 June 3, 1969 M. KlSH, JR 3,447,649 THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REINFORCING WIRES AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Sheet 3 016 Filed Oct. 23, 1967 June 3, 1969 K|$H, JR 3,447,649

THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REINFORCING WIRES AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 25, 1967 Sheet 4 IIcI-IIIIIIIIIIIIII I) INVENTOR. M/owa-z rm; J6

ATTae/VL XI 3 447,649 NFORCING WIRES MENT M. KISH. JR BAG HAVING SPACED REI Sheet June 3, 1969 'IHRI'HJZ-CHAMBER CARRYING AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGE Filed Oct. 23, 196'? 3,447,649 NFORCING WIRES June 3, 1969 M. KISH, JR

THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REI AND THREE-WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Sheet Filed Oct. 23, 1967 zv/ INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,447,649 THREE-CHAMBER CARRYING BAG HAVING SPACED REINFORCING WIRES AND THREE- WAY GARMENT FOLD ARRANGEMENT Michael Kish, Jr., Hightstown, N.J., assignor to Atlantic Products Corporation, Trenton, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 677,344

Int. Cl. A45c 13/00, 3/00 US. Cl. 190-50 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carrying bag having a central zipper opening which forms a central chamber for suits or dresses and two side chambers accessible through U-shaped flaps, closed by zippers, in the side walls of the bags. The bottoms of the two side chambers form the walls of the center enclosure. Four identical spaced wire stays form the main support for the three compartments and the bag. Three garment support straps extend transversely across the center chamber, at its center and its opposite ends. When the bag is opened flat the straps can grip elongated garments, such as dresses, at their center and portions spaced from their opposite ends. The garments are then folded inwardly over the end straps, and the chamber is closed, automatically folding the garments at three folds into four neat layers.

This invention relates to carrying bags and more specifically relates to a novel multi-compartment bag having flexible panels and a plurality of identical spaced wires for imparting rigidity to the bag along with a novel strap arrangement for a bag interior to improve the storage of garments therein.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel structure for carrying bags which produces an attractive sturdy arrangement which is easy to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to produce a novel bag structure formed of three discrete storage compartments which are defined between four reinforcing wires which support the bag.

Yet another object of this invention is to form a novel garment support arrangement within a carrying bag.

A further object of this invention is to provide a support arrangement for a carrying bag which eliminates the need for auxiliary garment folding apparatus.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the bag of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bag of FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of FIGURE 1 with the side panels shown in their open position in phantom lines.

FIGURE 5 shows a side view of the bag when fully opened at its central opening.

FIGURE 6 shows the opened bag of FIGURE 5 in perspective view.

FIGURE 7 shows a front plan view of one of the four reinforcing wires used in the bag construction.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 7 taken across the section line 8-8 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a front plan view of a subassembled side panel which receives a wire of the type of FIGURE 7 around its periphery and has a U-shaped flap therein.

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 9 taken across section line 10-10 in FIGURE 9.

3,447,649 Patented June 3, 1969 ICE FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 9 taken across section line 1111 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 shows a perspective view of the central frame of the bag of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view of the central frame of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 12 taken across section line 14-14 in FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken across section line 1515 in FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom construction of the bag, shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged cross-section view showing the center Opening portion of the bag when in the position of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 18 is a perspective View of a bag similar to that of FIGURE 1 which opens from the top thereof and contains novel garment receiving straps for positioning and folding garments within the bag.

FIGURE 19 shows the bag of FIGURE 18 in the open position and shows garment receiving straps therein.

FIGURE 20 shows a dress strapped into the Open bag of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 shows the garments of FIGURE 20 with its ends folded over the end straps.

FIGURE 22 shows the bag of FIGURE 21 in the partly closed position.

FIGURE 23 shows a perspective view of a single chamher bag in the open position using the novel straps of the bag of FIGURES 19 to 22.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 to 4, the carrying bag is composed of a flexible central tubular section 30 which may be of a vinyl, or the like, having two side sections 31 and 32 joined by a zipper 33 which may be of any desired type. A carrying handle 34 is connected to a section 30, as will be later described. Two flexible side gussets 35 and 36 which have fabric walls 37 and 38, respectively, over one of their ends are then secured to the ends of section 30 with two reinforcing wires 39 and 40 connected between gussets 35 and 36 and the respective ends of central section 30. Flexible side panels 41 and 42, which may be of fabric or vinyl, or the like, are then connected to the open outer ends of .gussets 35 and 36 with two additional reinforcing wires 43 and 44 identical to wires 39 and 40 connected between panels 41 and 42 and gussets 35 and 36, respectively. Side panels 41 and 42 then have U-shaped flaps 45 and 46, respectively, therein which are secured to their panels by suitable zipper closures.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the bag which is primarily of soft material is essentially supported by the four spaced identical wires 39, 40, 43 and 44. These wires typically may be of steel having a diameter of about A; inch. The bag then contains a central chamber bounded by walls 37 and 38 and section 30 and reached through zipper 33 with the chamber fully opened, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, to receive a mans suit, or womans dress, or the like; and two side chambers, reached through flaps 45 and 46 for storage of clothing and shoes, or the like.

The novel structure of the invention thus provides a highly useful carrying bag which is simple to manufacture and inexpensive by virtue of the four-wire support arrangement.

In manufacturing the bag, the various components can be individually made as subassemblies which are subsequently connected to one another in a finishing operation. FIGURES 12 to 15 show the details of central section 30 and the method used for its manufacture. As shown in FIGURE 13, the two halves of zipper 33, which may be a zipper using plastic loops, are sewn to the opposing ends of flexible gusset strips 31 and 32. A zipper pull is then placed on the Zipper halves, and fabric strips 51 and 52 are sewn across the opposite ends of strips 31 and 32. A handle panel subassembly 53 is then formed, comprising handle 34, handle support posts 54 and 55, a rigid fiber sheet 56 and an upper finishing sheet 57 which are riveted together as by rivets 58 to 61. The subassembly 53 (FIGURE 14) is then placed atop the opposite ends of gusset strips 31 and 32 and an interior lining 61 is placed beneath these ends, and lining 62 and subassembly are sewn in place along stitch lines 63 and 64, shown in FIGURE 12. A second pair of stitch lines 65 and 66 (FIGURES 12 and 14) sew the lateral sides of subassembly 53 and liner 61 together.

FIGURE 15 shows the flexible halves of zipper 33 sewn to gusset strips 31 and 32 by stitch lines 70-71 and 72-73, respectively, in conjunction with rigid strips 74 and 75 below the respective zipper halves, as described in my copending application Ser. No. 647,841, filed June 21, 1967. entitled Luggage and Method of Manufacture Therefor Having Zipper Closure."

The side panels 41 and 42 are then manufactured as shown in FIGURES 7 to 10 for the case of panel 41. The panel consists of a flexible panel body of vinyl or some other suitable material which has a U-shaped opening therein covered by the U-shaped fiap 45. Flap 45 has a zipper half (FIGURE 11) sewn around the periphery therof by stitch line 80a. Zipper half 80 cooperates with zipper half 81 sewn around the periphery of the corresponding U-shaped opening in panel 41 by stitch line 81a. Finishing strips 82 and 83 cover the edges of zipper halves 80 and 81 and the edges of panel 41 and flap 45, respectively. Note that the ends of the zipper halves 80 and 81 project beyond the upper edge of flap 45 and may be subsequently cut after assembly of the side panel.

Reinforcing rod 43, panel 41 and fiap 45 are then all secured together by a single stitch line to complete the assembly. More particularly, reinforcing rod 43 consists of a steel wire 85 which is inserted into an extruded plastic sheath 86 which has an extending sewing flange 87. The Wire is then bent to its rectangular form and its ends are welded together. The wire is then sewn to both flap 45 and panel 41 by continuous stitch line 88 (FIGURES 10 and 11) which extends through flange 87, around the periphery of panel 41 and across the top of flap 45. This completes the panel subassembly, with two such panels made for each bag.

The two gussets 35 and 36 are next prepared of two elongated strips of fabric or vinyl, or the like, as shown in FIGURES 5, l6 and 17, with the end of the strips sewn together with finishing strips and 101 (FIGURES 4 and 5). In addition, internal rigid fiber strips such as strip 102 (FIGURE 16) are sewn to what will be the bottom of the gussets 35 and 36 and support legs 103- 104-105 and 106-107-108 are riveted to these fiber strips, as seen in FIGURES 2, 4, 5 and 16. The interior surface of gussets 35 and 36 is then covered by sewn finishing strips 110 and 111, respectively.

In assembling the various subassemblies, the peripheral rim of gussets 35 and 36 are secured to the peripheral rim panels 41 and 42, as shown in FIGURES 16 and 17, stitch lines and 121, respectively, with the edges of the connection covered by finishing strips 122 and 123, respectively.

Thereafter, and as shown in FIGURES 16 and 17, the gussets 35 and 36 are fastened to the opposite ends of central section 33; and to panels 37 and 38, respectively; and to reinforcing wires 39 and 40, respectively. Reinforcing wires 39 and 40 are identical to wires 43 and 44 and are encased in extruded sheaths having the extending sewing flanges 125 and 126, respectively. In forming the final connection, it may be convenient to initially sew together the peripheral edges of panel 37, gusset 35 and flange 125. Thereafter, these components can be sewn to the edge of central member 33, along with a finishing strip 127 by a common stitch line 128. Alternatively, a single common stitch line 128 could be used as shown. The same operation is then used to secure together the gusset 36, panel 38, flange 126, finishing strip 129, and the opposite end of central section 33 by a similar stitch line 130 (FIGURE 17). If'desired, and at the same time, stitch lines could also capture the opposite sides of a bottom finishing panel 130, shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURES 18 to 22 show a modified version of the novel bag of the invention, including a novel arrangement of garment securing members, such as straps, for securing elongated garments, such as dresses or coats, or the like, within the central compartment of the bag.

In FIGURES 18 to 22, the bag is formed of two main halves 200 and 201 which are closed by a central zipper 202 much in the manner shown for the bag of the preceding FIGURES 1 to 17. Each of the halves 200 and 201 are provided with two side chambers, the side chamber in half 201 being reached through flap 203, shown in FIG- URE 18. The entire bag is then supported by meansof four spaced Wires 204, 205, 206 and 207 again in a manner substantially identical to that shown in the preceding figures. v v

The bag differs from that of the preceding figures in that the carrying handles 208 and 209 are secured directly to reinforcing rods 205 and 206, respectively, at what was the bottom of the bag of the preceding figures. The bottom of the bag of FIGURES 18 to 22 is then formed in a manner similar to the top of the bag of the preceding figures except, of course, a carrying handle isnot secured to the bottom although legs (not shown) are formed in the bottom of the gussets defining the two side pockets.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, garment support means including strap pairs 210- 211, 212-213, and 214-215 having cooperating buckles thereon are sewn to the bag sides adjacent inner panels 216 and 217 (FIGURE 19), which correspond to panels 37and 38 of the preceding figures and cooperate to form the central chamber of the bag of FIGURES 18 to 22. Straps 212 and 213 are connected to a liner 218 which extends across the pivotal connection between bag halves 200 and 201. All of the straps extend in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of halves 200 and 201 around their pivotal connection, with straps 210 'and 211 connected adjacent the top of bag half 200, while straps 214 and 215 are similarly at the top of the bag half 201.

It will be apparent that the straps 210 to 215 could be replaced by any suitable garment support means, such as rigid rods, elastic bands, or the like, and that a pair of cooperating buckled straps are shown heerin for illustrative purposes only.

The novel arrangement of straps is then used as shown in FIGURES 20 to 22 where it will be seen that the bag halves themselves are used as an integral portion of the garment folding arrangement. Thus, as shown in FIG- URE 2, a garment, such as dress 230, is laid across panels 216 and 217, with its ends overlapping the tops of the panels and the straps 210 and 215 are buckled as shown. Thereafter, and as shown in FIGURE 21, the overlapping ends of the dress are folded around straps 210-211 and 214-215, respectively. The bag is then rotated closed, as indicated in FIGURE 22, with the dress automatically folded at its middle with the bag closure serving as a means for defining a fold at the center of the dress. Straps 212 and 213 may be used to further insure the proper folding of the dress at its center.

This novel arrangement provides an elongated garment fold to form the garment into four stacked layers, with the garment bent at three points. This permits an extremely neat and compact arrangement for garments, such as dresses, with any desired number of dresses being contained in the central cavity of the bag, depending upon the depth of panels 216 and 217.

The novel strap arrangement of FIGURES 18 to 22 could be applied to any desired bag and could be used to' form a dress carrier per se, as shown in FIGURE 23. Referring to FIGURE 23, there is illustrated a bag comprised of two halves 240 and 241 having a zipper closure 242, with the two bag halves joined to one another at a pivotal connection covered by liner 218. The remaining components of the closure are identical to those of FIGURES 18 to 22 and have identical identifying numerals whereby dresses, or the like, can be stored in the bag of FIGURE 23, as shown in FIGURES 20 to 22. Again, it will be noted that the straps 210 to 215 of FIG- URE 23 could be replaced by any suitable garment securing means such as elastic straps, rods, or the like.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A carrying bag comprising a central chamber and first and second side chambers on opposite sides of said central chamber; said central chamber having a tubular outer peripheral wall of flexible material having first and second interior panels extending across and secured to respective first and second opposite ends of said peripheral wall; first access opening means extending along said outer peripheral wall to permit access to the interior of said central chamber; and first closure means for said first access opening means; a first and second elongated rigid reinforcing members bent to shapes conforming to the shape of said first and second opposite ends of said peripheral wall, and first and second gussets of flexible material; one end of said first gusset and said first rigid reinforcing member connected to one another and to said first end of said peripheral wall; one end of said second gusset and said second reinforcing member connected to one another and to said second end of said peripheral wall; and first and second exterior panels of flexible material; and third and fourth elongated rigid reinforcing members bent to shapes conforming to the periphery of said first and second exterior panels; said third reinforcing member and the periphery of said first exterior panel connected to one another and to the opposite end of said first gusset; said fourth reinforcing member connected to the periphery of said second exterior panel and to the opposite end of said second gusset; and second and third access means in said first and second exterior panels; said first interior panel, said first exterior panel and said first gusset defining said first side chamber; said second interior panel, said second exterior panel and said second gusset defining said second side chamber.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein said second and third access means in said first and second exterior panels comprise U-shaped flaps with respective zipper closure means.

3. The bag of claim 1 which includes a rigid reinforcement strip secured to a first length of said peripheral wall; and a carrying handle secured to said first reinforcement strip.

4. The bag of claim 1 which includes a rigid reinforcement strip secured to a first length of said peripheral wall; and a carrying handle secured to said first reinforcement strip; second and third rigid reinforcement strips connected to said first and second gussets, respectively,

and support legs connected to said second and third rigid strips; said second and third rigid strips disposed on the bottom of said bag; said first rigid strip exposed on the top of said bag; said first access opening means extending around said bag between said second and third strips and terminating at the ends of said first strip.

5. The bag of claim 1 in which said first, second, third and fourth elongated reinforcing members are identical to one another.

6. The bag of claim 5 which includes a plastic sheath having an extending sewing flange surrounding said reinforcing members.

7. The bag of claim 6 in which said connections between said peripheral wall, said interior and exterior panel's, said reinforcing members and said gussets are sewn joints having threads extending through said sewing flanges of said reinforcing members.

8. The bag of claim 1 in which said first access opening means extends around a first and major length of said peripheral wall to permit said central chamber to be fully opened with said first and second interior panels rotated by with respect to one another around a pivotal connection for-med by the remaining length of said peripheral wall; first and second garment securement means; said first and second garment securing means extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said interior panels and extending across the full width of said first and second interior panels, respectively, and positioned at the opposite ends of said first and second interior panels when said panels are fully opened with respect to one another.

9. The bag of claim -8 wvhich includes a third garment securing means parallel to said first and second garment securement means and positioned across said pivotal connection between said first and second interior panels.

10. A carrying bag comprising a first bag half, a second bag half, pivotal connection means for connecting said first and second bag halves to one another along a first portion of their outer periphery and closure means for closing said bag; first and second garment securing means disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of said first and second bag halves about said pivotal connection and each connected to the opposite interior sides of said first and second bag halves respectively adjacent ends thereof which are furthest removed from said pivotal connection and each of said securing means being closer to the end of its bag half end which is opposed to said first portion than to said first portion.

11. The bag of claim 10 which includes a third garment securing means extending along and adjacent said pivotal connection.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DONALD E. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

US. (:1. X.R. -41, 52 1 

